Taoiseach Simon Harris has paid tribute to Jon Kenny following news of his death.
The Irish writer, actor, and comedian was best known for being part of the comedy duo D’Unbelievables with Pat Shortt.
The pair had a string of hugely successful live shows and best-selling videos, but their run came to a halt when Kenny was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2000, The Irish Times reported.
Earlier this year, Kenny said he was being treated for lung cancer.
Speaking to Oliver Callan on RTÉ Radio 1, he recalled his first cancer diagnosis at the beginning of 2000.
“I had no choice but to take a step back. Over the space of two years, I was on different forms of treatment … I got a stem cell transplant, thanks be to god. Out in St James’s [Hospital], they sorted me out, and I motored on for another while.”
However, he said that in recent years he had been diagnosed with a different form of the illness.
“I had some operation to remove some of my left lung and that was good, good luck to that, but didn’t the fecker come back again on my left lung again,” he said.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said Kenny had an ability that “very few people possess”, to make his audiences crack up laughing with a glance or a single word.
“Behind that seemingly effortless talent to joke, there was a gifted performer and an extremely deep thinker,” he said.
“Jon was an interesting and thoughtful person, he had some stunning dramatic performances on stage and on screen and the country is still in stitches from the magic that was D’Unbelievables.
“I was in his native Limerick last night when word of his death came through and to say he is beloved, is a huge understatement.
“I personally admired the honest and reflective way Jon spoke about illness with Oliver Callan on radio earlier this year. Like everything he did, it was very human and very real.
“To Jon’s family, friends and huge circle of colleagues and peers, I am truly sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.”